“If you could start an NFL team with any player, who would it be?”

I’ve always thought this was a pretty fun question for armchair GM’s like me.

So I decided to put a list together of the ten NFL players I would want to start a team with. Talent and age, of course, were the overriding factors. But so was character. And since I’m not an NFL insider, character = reputation. Only three of the players are non-QB’s, which could make the list seem boring. But this is a QB-driven league, and it’s the most important position in sports.

There are some surprises. No running backs made the list, as they tend to break down young and are easy to find. And Ben Roethlisberger did not make the list, despite the fact none of the guys on this list have a Super Bowl ring – Big Ben, of course, has two. But he has also had two sexual assault allegations levied against him, and is one more mistake away from a very long suspension. Fellow Super Bowl-winning QB’s Petyon Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees are just a bit too old to be on the list.

Without further ado…

10. Josh Freeman, 22, QB, Tampa Bay: Freeman had an average rookie season in 2009, throwing 10 TD’s and 18 interceptions. But he has been quite reliable this season and the Bucs look like they’re onto something. Freeman has 12 TD’s against just 5 interceptions this season and led the Bucs to impressive comeback victories over the Rams and Cardinals in weeks 6 and 7.

9. Dez Bryant, 22, WR, Dallas: Bryant may be just a rookie, but with 41 catches and 5 touchdowns through 9 games, he’s shown me enough to think he’s going to be the best receiver in football. I’m not scared off by any character concerns some had about Bryant coming out of Oklahoma State

8. Joe Flacco, 25, QB, Baltimore: He came from a small school (Delaware), but the ultra-calm Flacco has played like an old pro ever since his first game in the league. Still, after getting beaten by Matt Ryan on Thursday, he’s not in the same class as the QB’s listed below.

7. Ndamukong Suh, 23, DT, Detroit: Simply put, Suh’s a beast. He gets after QB’s better than any tackle since Warren Sapp and already has 6.5 sacks this season. On top of that, he’s considered to be a heck of a guy. Just don’t ask him to be your kicker.

6. Jake Long, 25, OT, Miami: A former No. 1 overall pick, Long has lived up to the hype. He’s a franchise offensive tackle who will protect Miami’s QB for years to come. Once they find one.

5. Darrelle Revis, 25, CB, New York Jets: Revis Island is a place any NFL GM wants to live near. He shuts down the best WR’s in the league, as he did two weeks ago against Detroit’s Calvin Johnson. He doesn’t have any interceptions this season - mainly because QB’s never throw in his direction.

4. Matt Ryan, 25, QB, Atlanta: A true professional since the day he was drafted, the Ryan is the opposite of Michael Vick in Atlanta. First one in, last one out. And he’s performed, making the Falcons faithful put the Vick mess behind them. Ryan has thrown for 54 TD’s in 39 career games. In his first two seasons, Ryan has led the Falcons to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in their franchise history.

3. Sam Bradford, 23, QB, St. Louis: As you can probably guess, I’ve watched all of Bradford’s games. And he is absolutely the real deal. While the Rams have had some tough losses, at 4-5 they have still won more games than the last two seasons combined. Sam the Ram has thrown 12 TD’s and has not tossed an interception in his last four games – unheard of for a rookie QB.

2. Aaron Rodgers, 26, QB, Green Bay: Rodgers has shown of patience early in his career, and it has paid off. The 49ers thought about taking him at No. 1 overall in 2005, but instead he fell to the Packers at 24. After backing up Brett Favre for three seasons, Rodgers stepped in as the starter after the 2007 season and has been outstanding, throwing for 73 touchdowns since the start of 2008. Don’t be surprised when it’s all said and done if Rodgers numbers – including Super Bowl victories – rival Favre’s.

1. Phillip Rivers, 28, QB, San Diego – Surprised? Not sure why you would be. He’s a terrific leader and a winner. Since the Chargers let Drew Brees go after the 2005 season, Rivers has thrown for 125 touchdowns and just 53 interceptions. Rivers will win a Super Bowl.